The Minnesota Timberwolves (16-65) and Oklahoma City Thunder (44-37) will clash at the Target Center to the regular season comes to a close. Action begins at 8:00 pm ET on Wednesday, Apr. 15 and can be seen on FSN-OK and FSN-N.
The Timberwolves are are expecting a better outcome after their 100-88 loss to the Pelicans on Monday. Chase Budinger had a good outing, putting up 18 points, eight rebounds, and three assists for Minnesota. The Thunder, meanwhile, are coming off a 101-90 win against the Trail Blazers on Monday. Russell Westbrook claimed his 31st double-double of the season with 36 points and 11 rebounds.
Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine have been better than usual over the last five games for the Timberwolves. During that stretch, Wiggins has averaged 23.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.0 steal, while LaVine has recorded 23.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 0.6 steals, and 2.2 three-pointers a game.
Oklahoma City may control the offensive boards in this matchup, as it ranks second in the league in offensive rebound percentage at 28.8%. On the other hand, Minnesota ranks 30th in the NBA on the defensive glass with a defensive rebound percentage of 71.8%.
The Thunder have emerged victorious in all three games against the Timberwolves this year, including a 113-99 win the last time these two teams met. Westbrook put up a triple-double in the victory, with 29 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds.
The odds for Minnesota and Oklahoma City are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently not available. The Timberwolves have gone 16-65 Straight Up (SU) and 34-45-2 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 4-11 SU and 7-7-1 ATS against divisional opponents. The Timberwolves are one of the best in the NBA in terms of free throws made, making an impressive 19.9 per game. Minnesota will look to take advantage of the Thunder and their propensity to foul. Oklahoma City ranks 29th in the league in fouls, averaging 22.3 per game.
In the other locker room, the Thunder have a record of 38-41-2 ATS and 44-37 SU. Oklahoma City has not performed well ATS during its last 10 games, earning a 2-8 record. The Thunder have controlled the glass with an NBA-best 47.5 rebounds per game. The Thunder average 101.6 points allowed per game, but have damaged those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 109.3 points per game during that span.
The Thunder’s win over Minnesota in their last clash bumped their SU record over the last 10 meetings to 8-2. With a 6-4 record, the Thunder also have the advantage ATS. In these last 10 matchups, Oklahoma City held the edge in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers six times, with Minnesota controlling all three of these areas one time.
Predictions: SU Winner – OKC, ATS Winner – OKC
Notes
Minnesota ranks 23rd in points per game with 97.6, while Oklahoma City ranks 24th in points allowed with an average of 101.6 given up.
Minnesota ranks 26th in points per home game with 96.7 points, while Oklahoma City ranks 24th in points allowed on the road with 103.4.
When giving up fewer than 100 points, the Minnesota Timberwolves have an 8-9 record. When they don’t reach the century mark, the Oklahoma City Thunder have an underachieving record of 7-22.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have an abysmal 8-56 record in games where they have allowed at least 100 points. The Oklahoma City Thunder are 37-15 when they hit triple digits.
The Timberwolves have an offensive rating of 99.9 (ranked 26th). The Thunder rank 15th for their defensive rating of 102.4.
With 97.7 possessions and .999 points per possession, the Minnesota Timberwolves perform worse on both metrics than the Oklahoma City Thunder. Oklahoma City averages 99.2 possessions and 1.044 points per possession.
The Oklahoma City Thunder average an effective field goal percentage of 49.0% this season. The Minnesota Timberwolves have a subpar record of 8-54 when opponents have an EFF% of 49.0% or greater.
Minnesota has an assist to turnover ratio of 1.51 this season (ranked 21st), while Oklahoma City ranks lower at 23rd with an A/TO of 1.46.
The Thunder earn a league-high 47.5 rebounds per game, while the Timberwolves rank 27th with 40.9 per game.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are the second-ranked team in offensive rebounds, while the Minnesota Timberwolves are the 30th-ranked team in defensive rebounds.
Minnesota is among the best in forcing turnovers, with opponents averaging a TOV% of 15.0% (ranked eighth). Oklahoma City has a 19-17 record SU when its TOV% reaches 15.0% or greater.
